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Martin Bain says "supporters groups" have "flagged up worries over the conduct of some fans". This appears to refer to certain songs being sung but our Chief Exec doesn't seem able to add facts to vague accusations. Which songs and .... more importantly, which supporters groups. Take your pick, is the Assembly admonishing it's own members or is the team that brought you Andrew Messiah Ellis now exacting revenge by grassing up the hard core fan? Or does "supporters group" now include any sanctimonious twat with a pen and a stamp? Why on earth did Martin ?Bain feel compelled to raise this particular issue at this time? Every cheap tabloid arse wipe is focussing on this today and deflecting from everything the team is achieving. Thanks Bain, you muppet.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain admits he is not able to promise new signings during the transfer window. More...

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain is hopeful that Kenny Miller will sign a new contract at the club. More...

Martin Bain is to meet with SFA officials after being angered by Allan McGregor's retrospective ban. More...

Chairman’s Statement I am very pleased to present the Rangers Football Club Annual Report against a backdrop of success for the Club. To win our 26th League Cup was outstanding but to secure our second successive Clydesdale Bank Premier League title at this juncture was not only a tremendous achievement but one of paramount importance to the welfare of the Club. I would like to extend my congratulations to Walter Smith, Ally McCoist, Kenny McDowall and the playing squad for their efforts. The result of that success was qualification for the UEFA Champions League this year, the net revenues from which will, in turn, provide us with greater financial stability. One of the immediate benefits of this was the commitment by Walter to manage the team for another season and Ally and Kenny agreeing to new contracts. The benefit of participating in the UEFA Champions League in Season 2009/10 is clear with our turnover increasing by Ã?£16.6m to Ã?£56.3m. This, together with measures taken on reducing our cost base, resulted in an increase in operating profit of Ã?£22.4m to Ã?£5.1m from last year’s loss of Ã?£17.3m. Retained profit for the year amounted to Ã?£4.2m, an increase of Ã?£16.9m on last year. The current year incorporates a Ã?£0.5m gain on sale of player registrations compared with a gain of Ã?£6.2m in the prior year. In terms of debt, our net cash inflow in the year amounted to Ã?£4.0m. As I highlighted last year we still had Ã?£9.2m payable in terms of historic player transfers. The cash flow in the current year reflects payments of Ã?£8.0m on these prior year acquisitions, and resulted in our year end debt in relation to the term loan and overdraft facility with Lloyds Banking Group of Ã?£22.3m. Total debt at 30 June 2010, incorporating finance leases and other loans, amounted to Ã?£27.1m. A balance has to be struck between debt reduction and remaining competitive on the playing front. To this end, we agreed a business plan with Lloyds Banking Group in recent months, and whilst we continue to look for new investment, this has enabled an allocation of funding for new players, while at the same time retaining the nucleus of the squad that has served us so well in the past two seasons. The financial results and the team’s success have assisted in stabilising the business and strengthening our balance sheet. Some caution must be exercised, however, given the effect of the recession on our core revenue streams and the implications to Scottish football of the country’s European ranking. Challenges therefore still remain but I am confident that the management team under the guidance of Martin Bain can continue to enhance the company’s financial performance whilst maintaining our team’s competitive edge on the field. Every Rangers fan, myself included, knows only too well the issues we have faced in recent times given our debt levels and the distraction of ownership speculation. However, we are now in a position to look forward more constructively and positively as we make every effort to achieve continued success for this great football club. As I did last year, it is my intention to deliver a “Chairman’s Address” at the AGM on 18 October 2010, when I will update our shareholders and supporters on major developments pertaining to the Club and provide further insight into issues of concern and interest to all of our patrons. More Info: http://www.rangers.co.uk/staticFiles/f6/56/0,,5~153334,00.pdf http://www.rangers.co.uk/page/annualreport/0,,5,00.html

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has received a Ã?£165,000 pay rise in the past year. Mr Bain, the highest-paid director at Ibrox, received a 35% increase in his salary from Ã?£468,000 to Ã?£633,000, according to the clubââ?¬â?¢s latest annual accounts. His wages for the 12 months to June 30 included Ã?£55,000 of contributions to a money-purchase pension scheme. The accounts also showed total boardroom pay at Rangers increased from Ã?£695,000 to Ã?£832,000. The SPL champions said their long-term loan and overdraft facility with Lloyds Banking Group stood at Ã?£22.3million at June 30. This was down Ã?£3.7m from a year earlier, a situation enabled by the clubââ?¬â?¢s Champions League participation. Chairman Alastair Johnston said in the annual report: ââ?¬Å?A balance has to be struck between debt reduction and remaining competitive on the playing front. ââ?¬Å?To this end, we agreed a business plan with Lloyds Banking Group in recent months, and while we continue to look for new investment, this has enabled an allocation of funding for new players, while at the same time retaining the nucleus of the squad that has served us so well in the past two seasons.ââ?¬Â Rangers moved from an operating loss of Ã?£17.3m to a Ã?£5.1m profit in the year to June 30, as Champions League participation helped boost its turnover by Ã?£16.6m to Ã?£56.3m. Net operating expenses decreased by Ã?£4.4m to Ã?£43.9m, reflecting reduced salary levels and efficiencies. Rangers Supporters Trust spokesman Stephen Smith praised Mr Bain for his work, but questioned whether such a pay increase was merited. He said: ââ?¬Å?An increase of salary like that canââ?¬â?¢t ever be justified.ââ?¬Â

Sasa Papac has revealed he would be more than happy to remain at Rangers for the rest of his career. More...

I'm copying this from another website ... no apologies since I think this is an excellent rebuttal to the madness of the Scottish media......... Letââ?¬â?¢s get one thing straight here before I go any further. There is NO DEFENCE for what happened in Manchester in 2008. Those CCTV pictures were shocking and those involved are despicable human beings. With that out the way, Iââ?¬â?¢m now going to put up the defence for 99.9% of the Rangers support. The reason for this is because Man Utd v Rangers is fast approaching in the Champions League and the problems of 2008 are resurfacing along with other high profile issues involving Rangers? Certain media were quick to write about the ââ?¬Ë?rioting Rangers supportââ?¬â?¢ as soon as Rangers drew Man Utd; scaremongering at its worst. Some of the things that have been said and written about the Rangers travelling fans have been unfair. Is there a media agenda against the club? In my opinion the answer to that question is an overwhelming YES. I wonââ?¬â?¢t name names, but there are a few who are obsessed with all things Rangers and are just waiting for an excuse to put the boot in; is that fair? NO. Does the club do enough to defend itself and its real fans; I donââ?¬â?¢t think so. Much of the time the Rangers support find themselves spitting into a gale force wind in their battle against unfair treatment, as the club sits back and says or does very little. When you look back at the highly publicised incidents involving Rangers over the past four years, you really do have to worry about some of the reporting. I think you have to feel deep sympathy for the supporters who are being dragged down by a MINORITY. May 2006: Rangers were fined Ã?£13,300 for the conduct of their supporters during the Champions League tie with Villarreal. Rangers issued a statement saying: "Rangers Football Club is disappointed by the decision by Uefa's appeals body not to uphold the original verdict of the control and disciplinary body. ââ?¬Å?The appeals body concluded that Rangers fans were guilty of discriminatory chanting at both legs of the Champions League matches against Villarreal. The decision by Uefa should be seen as a strong warning to the MINORITY of supporters whose inappropriate behaviour brings the club into serious disrepute.ââ?¬Â May 2007: Rangers were fined Ã?£8,280 by Uefa for the behaviour of their fans during their match against Osasuna - but the Spanish club was ordered to pay Ã?£31,000. The control and disciplinary section of European football's governing body said there were ââ?¬Å?serious deficiencies in the organisation of the game,ââ?¬Â by Osasuna. Uefa's website stated: "Osasuna have been fined 45,000 Euros for serious deficiencies in the organisation of the game on 14 March, as well as for the improper conduct of their supporters. Rangers, meanwhile, have been ordered to pay 12,000 Euros for the latter offence involving visiting fans of the Scottish teamââ?¬â?¢Ã¢â?¬â?¢. As you can see, UEFA believed that Osasuna were ultimately responsible for those ugly scenes in the stands. The riot police were indiscriminately hitting Rangers fans with their batons. I'm not suggesting that all the Rangers fans that night were angels; again, a MINORITY didn't help the situation but the majority didn't deserve what came their way. The day after the game we had many fans turn up at the Real Radio studio to show us their injuries. Men, women, young and old were covered in cuts and bruises. It was a shocking sight and yet despite the overwhelming evidence of police brutality against Scottish football fans, very little was said about it; why? May 2008 Uefa Cup final: Communications Director William Gallard, confirmed Uefa is not planning to take any action against Rangers. "The overwhelming majority of fans behaved in the proper way. A very small MINORITY caused some trouble. In terms of disciplinary procedures we can only deal with what happens at the stadium or within the perimeter of the stadium." Walter Smith said: "I absolutely condemn this mindless MINORITY who have so shamed our country with their actions. Tens of thousands of people went to Manchester and behaved impeccably and were wonderful ambassadors for Rangers and Scotland." A SENIOR police figure has blamed Manchester council for the Uefa Cup final riot. Chris Burrows, Chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file bobbies, said the big screen showing the match in Piccadilly Gardens was deliberately switched off. Mr Burrows made his comments at the Federation's annual open meeting in the V&A hotel in Manchester. Asked by one officer who had been to blame for the Uefa cup 'fiasco', Mr Burrows said: "It was the local authority. I was listening to the (police) radio that night. That screen was switched off." No-one on the panel rebutted Mr Burrows' comments. August 2009: Sir Alex Ferguson, a former Rangers player, insists that the mass invasion of Rangers fans for the Uefa Cup final - which saw almost 200,000 head south of the border - will not be repeated; however, he is confident the game will not be marred by trouble. He said: "There were circumstances that day (Uefa Cup final) and I donââ?¬â?¢t think it was well organised." I was there in 2008 and I think Manchester City Council made a pigââ?¬â?¢s ear of it. To put it politely, in my opinion, the organisation of the Uefa Cup final was shambolic. Two weeks before the final I was on a Manchester radio station and happened to say that ââ?¬Å?you can expect anything from 150,000 to 250,000 fans to descend on the city centre.ââ?¬Â Manchester City Council and the police were given enough warning of what to expect, so I donââ?¬â?¢t buy their excuse that they didnââ?¬â?¢t see it coming. Serious questions have never been asked or answered by those responsible for the inadequate organisation of that night. For example; why was Heaton Park not used as a fan zone? In June 2009 the park welcomed 70,000 through the gates to see Oasis in concert. Why was Old Trafford not even considered? They could have charged a fiver and the fans would have been in a safe and controlled environment. The influx of people to Manchester resulted in there being no vacant hotel rooms in a 20 mile radius of the city centre and the total amount of money that was ploughed into the local economy was estimated to be more than Ã?£25 million. Could that be the answer to the above questions? The consequent media coverage of the ââ?¬Ë?riotââ?¬â?¢ was a real slap in the face to the tens of thousands of supporters who followed their team to Manchester from all over the globe. A tiny fraction spoiled a great day and certain media used it as a weapon to hammer the club and 99.9% of its supporters. Was that fair? I donââ?¬â?¢t think so. As I said, the CCTV pictures were horrific, disgraceful and shameful. You canââ?¬â?¢t defend those animals, but is it right to lump them in with everyone else; of course not. There are far too many people out there who were quick to condemn the Rangers support and the club. These same fans travelled all over Europe to watch their club in the Champions League and then the Uefa Cup. How many were arrested on the road in the 2007/2008 season before Manchester? Iââ?¬â?¢ll tell youââ?¬Â¦ NONE. ZILCH. ZERO. Yet some in our media failed to recognise this or look at the bigger picture of what actually happened that evening in Manchester. Some hoped Uefa would throw the book at the club; why? Send me your answers by email. November 2009: Rangers have been fined 20,000 Euros (Ã?£17,988) and been ordered to pay the cost of damage to the Steaua Stadium as a result of the improper conduct of their fans during the Champions League match against Unirea Urziceni in Romania last week. Television pictures from last Wednesday night's 1-1 Group G draw in Bucharest showed a number of visiting supporters clashing with Romanian police in the stands, while one fan was seen to rip out a seat. Unirea Urziceni have been fined 8,000 Euros (Ã?£7,195) for lack of organisation at the same match. Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain had claimed the trouble was triggered by poor organisation at the Steaua Stadium and over-zealous policing. Bain's explanation for the crowd trouble was also backed by Superintendent Mike Dean of Strathclyde Police, who was helping to coordinate security at the ground. "We appreciate the fact that the Uefa match delegate said in his report that, apart from this incident, the behaviour of the majority of Rangers supporters in Bucharest was satisfactory. The club made strong representations to UEFA regarding the wholly unsatisfactory crowd management prior to the match and UEFA has addressed this. As we have made clear, this in no way excuses the violent behaviour a MINORITY of fans.ââ?¬Â There is one constant throughout all of the above incidents and you can clearly see it for yourselves in bold. I will finish by saying that Iââ?¬â?¢m no lover of Rangers or Celtic but that is purely down to me being a Hearts fan. I want to see them get beat every week in the SPL. That is all part and parcel of the football rivalry and banter that I love. Last season I found myself stuck on a train from Falkirk to Edinburgh with my son. We were heading to Tynecastle to watch Hearts play Rangers. I was surrounded by Rangers fans; the banter was top notch. They also tried to persuade my 8-year-old boy to swap his Hearts scarf for a Rangers scarf, it didnââ?¬â?¢t workââ?¬Â¦ thankfully. We then ended up walking from Haymarket to Gorgie with thousands of Rangers fans. At no point did I feel threatened or intimidated. They were a credit to the club. Itââ?¬â?¢s about time we all recognise and defend the good supporters. We should not allow a MINORITY of bampots to ruin the good name of any club or its support. At the end of the day theyââ?¬â?¢re Scottish football supporters and when those good men, women and children are getting dragged through the gutter, then itââ?¬â?¢s only right and proper to stand up for them. Iââ?¬â?¢ve defended Celtic supporters and their club when they found themselves in hot water with Uefa in recent years. Itââ?¬â?¢s the right thing to do. Itââ?¬â?¢s time we started to stand up for the real supporters, the good supporters, the life blood of our game because without them, the game I love is dead. The views in this article are of Ewen Cameron and not Real Radio.

He did come out and say we should judge things at the end of the transfer window when it seemed we werent active at all in the transfer market. In typical Rangers fashion when it seems nothing is going to surface and within the space of 1 week we have a much healthier looking group with 3 additions yet Barazite and Welcome could have been added aswell but probably would have been too much. No doubt WS will be asked in this weeks press conference if he is finished in the transfer market and it will be interesting to see if he says we are looking at 1 or 2 others which would probably be a vertasile defender or centre midfielder. I do think we are still 1 short. Last week we had Davis with flu, McCulloch suspended and Fleck injured - thats surely going to happen again this season. Although id have no worries about playing Bougherra centre mid. People can be judgemental about the way we do business and how poor our scouting is at time but we still normally deliver.

Rangers have ended their pursuit of Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic and are now anxious to fix-up James Beattie and Tommy Smith. After two weeks of negotiations with the Austrians and the Croatian striker, the SPL champions have walked away. The 24-year-old has been quoted as saying a switch to Scotland may still happen in the next few days, but any movement will now have to come from his camp. Rangers offered around Ã?£4m and Ã?£15,000-per-week wages. Rapid accepted the deal, but Jelavic wants a pay-off from his club, so the move has stalled. Chief executive Martin Bain said: ââ?¬Å?We have withdrawn from negotiations with Nikica Jelavic.ââ?¬Â Stoke striker Beattie held talks with Walter Smith and Bain last night having arrived in Glasgow for a look around, but returned south with no deal done. A fee of around Ã?£1.3m has been agreed, but Beattie is on Ã?£35,000-per-week and Stoke may have to offer him a sweetener to leave. Blackburn are believed to be trying to hijack Gersââ?¬â?¢ move. Beattieââ?¬â?¢s agent Mike Morris said: ââ?¬Å?Negotiations will continue today.ââ?¬Â Meantime, despite matching the Ã?£1.5m fee quoted by Portsmouth for Smith, Rangers have still to hear back from the club. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/martin-bain-no-nikica-jelavic-deal-1.1048143

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/rangers-loan-bid-for-manchester-city-star-1.1049012

Walter Smith hopes to conclude the signings of James Beattie and Tommy Smith before Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s SPL opener with Kilmarnock at Ibrox. The Rangers manager says he has not totally given up on his pursuit of Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic ââ?¬â?? but that deal appears to be all but dead unless the player lowers his financial demands. Beattie is set to cost around Ã?£1.5million from Stoke City and was on his way to Glasgow for contract talks with chief executive Martin Bain. Rangers are believed to have offered Ã?£900,000 to Portsmouth for Smith and were waiting on an answer from the Championship side before entering into wage talks. The Rangers manager confirmed today: ââ?¬Å?We are in negotiations with Stoke and Portsmouth for the signings of James Beattie and Tommy Smith respectively. ââ?¬Å?It is difficult to say just how long it will take to conclude these signings ââ?¬â?? but we hope to complete both deals in time for the weekend.ââ?¬Â Beattie would look the more likely deal to be pushed through, with Pompey boss Steve Cotterrill insisting of Smith: ââ?¬Å?He isnââ?¬â?¢t a players weââ?¬â?¢d be looking to lose. ââ?¬Å?Heââ?¬â?¢s a good player, and whatââ?¬â?¢s been offered wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be the figure weââ?¬â?¢d put on him if we did want to sell.ââ?¬Â Jelavicââ?¬â?¢s protracted transfer from Rapid Vienna has rumbled on for the best part of two weeks. Rangers have tabled a transfer package of close to Ã?£4million for the 24-year-old, with a Ã?£16,000 a week wage offer, but he is sue a slice of any sale and senior sources at Ibrox, privately, have all but given up hope of his arrival unless there is a change in stance on his behalf. Smith explained: ââ?¬Å?As for Jelavic, I admit that one is looking more doubtful as there are complications there that we had not foreseen. ââ?¬Å?Things have not gone smoothly ââ?¬â?? but we have by no means given up on bringing him to the club.ââ?¬Â Smith will also arrange a closed-door game for Honduran international Georgie Welcome early next week in order to make a final decision on whetherââ?¬â?¢s heââ?¬â?¢s worth a deal. He was denied a work permit to play in a second-string game against Glentoran this week and could face red-tape issues. Arsenal kid Nacer Barazite also remains on trial. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Welcome has been unfortunate in that he is not allowed to play in any public games and so we are in the process of arranging a closed-door game and we will make a decision on him after that. As for Nacer, we will continue to look at him.ââ?¬Â Smith also confirmed that he will continue to work right up to the closure of the transfer window on August 31 as he bids to beef up his squad. ââ?¬Å?We have only 14 experienced players in our squad right now and it is obvious that we need to add more in terms of quality and experience,ââ?¬Â he added. ââ?¬Å?We have been working on a number of other deals, but these players are in demand elsewhere and that has made it difficult. ââ?¬Å?But we will keep working on things until the closure of the transfer window ââ?¬â?? and we hope to be able to bring in another couple of new faces above the players I have discussed.ââ?¬Â Meanwhile, Kenny Miller should be fit for Killie despite suffering from shin splints. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Kenny has been struggling, but the fact he has not played midweek for Scotland should allow him to be OK for Saturday. ââ?¬Å?It is not a chronic condition with him so that bit of rest should have sorted things.ââ?¬Â But the Rangers manager confirmed that Lee McCulloch, who is in any case suspended for the SPL opener, will need up to a fortnight to recover from the virus he is suffering from. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Lee picked up the virus coming back from Australia and we expect him to take another couple of weeks to make a full recovery.ââ?¬Â http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/walter-smith-confirms-beattie-and-smith-deals-1.1047824

Well I will be fighting to get my old Peugot 405 through it's MOT in October.

Ally McCoist has flown to America to run the rule over a batch of summer signing targets. The Rangers No.2 jetted out to New York yesterday along with midfielder Maurice Edu and will watch the USA friendly against Brazil at the New Meadowlands Stadium tomorrow night. There was also an MLS game between Chicago and New York Red Bulls last night which McCoist was set to take in as the Light Blues assess the qualities of several players being offered to them. Itââ?¬â?¢s understood boss Walter Smith has been tipped off about some of the up-and-coming talents beginning to make their impact at international level ââ?¬â?? and dispatched McCoist to watch them in the flesh. Maurice Edu has also passed on information on some of his countrymen and itââ?¬â?¢s thought players such as Alejandro Bedoya and Benny Feilhaber could be on the radar providing they impress. Bedoya is one of the most promising players within the American set-up and currently plays for Swedish side Orebro. The 23-year-old is a left-sided midfield player with plenty of pace which is exactly what Smith is targeting this summer. Feilhaber, 25, is operating for Danish outfit AGF Aarhus but it is thought his time there is coming to an end. Smith hopes to secure his No.1 summer target after chief executive Martin Bain flew back to Austria on Saturday for a second round of talks with Rapid Vienna over Nikica Jelavic. Bain has made a final pitch to the Austrian club with the transfer fee now around the Ã?£4million mark, while a Ã?£15,000-a-week wage offer. Rangers now want an answer after two weeks of talks ââ?¬â?? or else they will look at other options. The 24-year-old Croatian has said he wants to move to Ibrox, but a decision will have to be made soon. Honduras striker Georgie Welcome remains on trial, but insiders say a deal for him is no better than 50-50 as, although he has looked decent in training, he is behind the other players in terms of fitness and unable to be judged in games due to work permit rules. SportTimes also understands Rangers wonââ?¬â?¢t be making moves for any young players at Manchester United such as Danny Wellbeck. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/ally-mccoist-jets-out-on-us-spy-mission-1.1047031

Eidur Gudjohnsen could be set to join Rangers from French club Monaco. Reports in France on Saturday morning claim representatives from the SPL champions are currently in the principality holding talks with the Ligue 1 club. Gudjohnsen spent the second half of the 2009/10 season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, after struggling to make an impact with the Rouge et Blanc. The Icelandic forward only moved to the French league from Barcelona one year ago. Radio station RMC, which broadcasts in Monte Carlo, say the out-of-favour player is close to agreeing a move to Scotland, becoming Walter Smith's first signing ahead of the new season. Whether the SPL side would take the 31-year-old on loan or on a permanent basis remains to be seen. Following the purchase of Standard Liege striker Dieumerci Mbokani last week, Monaco boss Guy Lacombe is believed to be keen to move Gudjohnsen on. His availability appears to have alerted Rangers, who are currently pursuing a number of options to bolster their thin squad. Highly regarded in world football, Gudjohnsen began his career with Valur Reykjavik, before a two-year spell at Dutch club PSV. He returned to Iceland at the age of 19 for a short time with KR, before Bolton Wanderers came calling in 1998. Impressive after a slow start with the Trotters, Gianluca Vialli came calling in 2000 to take the player to Chelsea, where he made over 200 appearances and scored 80 times. His form alerted Barcelona in 2006, who spent over 12 million Euros on the player to replace Henrik Larsson. His Barca career had looked like being short lived, with then-boss Frank Rijkaard coming close to selling him back to England after one season. But a number of polished displays, in which he also showed his ability as a midfielder and as a wide player, prolonged his career at Camp Nou well into the Pep Guardiola era. The purchase of Gudjohnsen would be seen as something of a coup for the Scottish club, who have failed to replace any of six departing players this summer to date. Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo left a gap in Smith's forward line, which the Gers boss has been working to plug in recent weeks. Negotiations are continuing with Rapid Vienna over the purchase of striker Nikica Jelavic, after Martin Bain returned home from a trip to Austria on Thursady having failed to convince the club to accept a �£3.5 million offer. Honduran striker Georgie Welcome is currently on trial at Murray Park, trying to win a move from Motagua. http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/190535-rangers-in-talks-with-eidur-gudjohnsen/

MARTIN Bain disappointed as Umbro delays delivery of new away kit More...

Hardly a day passes by without another player being linked to Rangers - be it in the unofficial media such as newspapers or forums - or even via official comment from Smith/Bain and stories on the club website. Given we've not paid a fee for a new player since Maurice Edu in 2008, yet have raked in millions since then from Champions League money and player sales, that would suggest we do have some sort of budget to strengthen our squad. Indeed, different figures have been mentioned - ranging from a couple of million to �£5million and beyond. Of course the club are consistent in trying to play down such figures and definitely don't seem keen on alluding to any kind of budget - even although they have confirmed (or alleged) reasonable transfer fees and wage packages for potential players. For example, Chris Eagles was supposed to be close to arriving on a deal worth around �£2million and �£15K per week over 3 years. That totals up to not far from the unsubstantiated �£5million 'warchest' oft talked about amongst the support. On the other hand, many fans are rightly cynical when it comes to such issues. Time and time again we're told money is available yet no players come in. Further to that, the hard luck stories are run out when the window eventually closes - 'he didn't want to come', 'we couldn't match another club's offer', 'SDM's private jet is under repair' etc etc. As such, it's difficult to argue with such people when the facts tell us we have the weakest Rangers squad (in terms of numbers) for over 20 years and an overall dearth in quality that will affect our competitiveness for the rapidly approaching season. Therefore, the issue perhaps comes down to two different scenarios: 1. Do we indeed have a reasonable total budget (say �£5million for fees and wages) and are bluffing a weak position to maximise our activity? 2. Or have MIH/Lloyds/HMRC, absorbed all of income limiting us to another Jerome Rothen type loaning signing if we're lucky? I'd like to gauge your opinion so we can come back at the end of August and see who has been proven right! Are we bluffing or have we already folded? :box:

SMITH in for World Cup heroes Mphela and Khumalo More...

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/07/22/we-will-sign-the-players-to-help-walter-smith-win-three-in-a-row-for-rangers-pledges-chief-martin-bain-86908-22431209/

Ally McCoist has said Rangers have not made any bid for AZ midfielder Brett Holman, either as a permanent signing or on a loan deal. The club has been persistently linked with a move for the player in the last week. Speaking after Rangers arrived in Australia for their pre-season tournament in Sydney, McCoist admitted he was a fan of the Socceroos star but insisted there was no deal being discussed. ââ?¬Å?He's certainly a player I like and I know Walter [smith] likes him,ââ?¬Â he said. "I saw him a couple of times at the World Cup and he's somebody who's impressed me and he took his goals well," said McCoist. "I won't lie to you, he's a player who excites me," added McCoist. "But there's been no contact at all between the clubs with a view to getting him over." Rangers hope to sign three new players Wilson completes Liverpool switch The denial from Rangers comes after Holman told AZââ?¬â?¢s website he was unaware of any interest from the SPL champions. ââ?¬Å?I hear from others that there are rumours about Glasgow Rangers, but I know nothing,ââ?¬Â Holman said. ââ?¬Å?I have been on holiday for two weeks and no one has spoken to me about that.ââ?¬Â While Holman may not have been approached, Rangers are looking to recruit new players before the beginning of the season. Following the sale of Kevin Thomson and Danny Wilson, Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has reassured fans that moves are underway to sign replacements.

BAIN says Gers want to keep Bougherra and Wilson More...

Rangers have dismissed reports that defender Madjid Bougherra has agreed a deal to join Hamburg. More...

I make no apologies for posting Edgars view on events, you can make up your own mind as to the validity or otherwise of that view. My own take is that it is very very worrying that this person and his cohorts continue to attempt to ingratiate themselves with main players, in my view he has no concept of the reality of the past or present situation, the comment about the man who owns the club said it all for me and you are well aware of my views on Minty. Unless people and in particular those who presume to represent start from a factual basis, we the supporters that is, shall remain adrift in a sea of misinformation and divided factions. davidrst Establishment PR Man Join Date: 29-07-2006 Location: SFA Offices assigning officials Posts: 660 Murray, Ellis and the Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In response to a run of texts and PMs, here's what we know and my personal tuppenceworth: Ellis - spoke to him through the early weeks of the takeover. We did some digging and couldn't see where his money was coming from. Kept polite in the media in case we were wrong - it has happened before, after all - but remained sceptical. A few well-kent posters on here tried to calm the hysteria but were accused of anti-Ellis scaremongering. C'est la vie. Ellis seemed a nice bloke but never had the cash. I posted a while ago that a deal would be agreed or not agreed that weekend. it was, and he was given a deadline to find the cash. As I'm sure you have gathered, it passed. Murray - I don't think he has any grand plan. That's giving him too much credit. This situation has never had any long-term plan. It has been month-to-month and sometimes week-to-week. Murray was completely out of the picture at Christmas. Rangers increasing success led to a softening of attitudes at Lloyds, a diminishing influence for Muir and a superb performance from Johnston and Bain. They decided a month ago on a course of action and are now following it. Murray's intentions? You'd need to ask him. His situation with Lloyds is better and he has a bit more room for manoeuvre. Trust - Came very close to a deal for backing for a fans buy-out. It didn't happen. We haven't stopped working on it and never will. Is it close? No. Future - This is it for the foreseeable. No point getting angry about it. It just is. If you wake up in the morning with a toothache, you can spend all day moaning about it, but it won't change the fact you have toothache. You be the judge, Edgar claims a deal was done, the LSE announcement says different, how this rewriting of events is clarifying anything is lost on me, smacks more of waffle to me. http://forum.followfollow.com/showthread.php?t=663453

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NezGumiJRXg]YouTube- Goin' Nowhere (1994)[/ame] Don't think I've ever quoted 'Status Quo' or searched for them online before but given the news of last night; this song, the words and the band name were just perfect for the way I was feeling about our club and the protracted ownership saga of recent times. It was only less than two months ago that Rangers won the title and yet already the effect of that has worn off. Sure, the management team committing to another year and the club highlighting some of the financial pressure from the bank was easing helped keep the close season boredom at bay for a while longer but last night's news that any takeover attempt was over has brought on that familiar summer depression. A poor World Cup so far hasn't helped so, yes, my head is aching! The status quo it is then. Andrew Ellis and his mysterious backers won't be buying Rangers. Sir David Murray remains as majority shareholder. Lloyds Bank continue to have important influence in the running of the club. We have little room for manoeuvre in a financial sense. The futures of key players are unclear. Martin Bain asks for patience in terms of new signings. 40,000 Rangers fans renew their season tickets regardless and show renewed loyalty to the club. Have things ever been different? Where are we goin' then? Improving relations with the bank and �£5million budgets notwithstanding, what is the future for Rangers under Sir David Murray? Is it more of the same uncertainty and short-termism we've seen in the last ten years or so? Can we really expect more success with this strategy or is continued inconsistency the biggest challenge facing us? What part can the fans play in the future - after all we remain the single largest annual investors into the club? These are all fair questions and the same ones (and more) have been being asked now for several years. I don't think it is unreasonable to have strong expectations of the club administration and challenge them to improve their contribution. Therefore, at what point will the club recognise the supports' ongoing and undiminished commitment by involving us more closely than they do now? Let us play our part and we may be more appreciative of just how difficult it is to run a football club. We need improved representation and opportunities exist financially in that respect as well. One of the biggest frustrations of the last year or so has been the amount of leaks and rumour-mongering coming from within the club. If it isn't one director leaking information to his favourite journalist, it's another meeting with supporters he obviously considers more important than you or I. I'd understand that if it was the same message being conveyed but often it is the polar opposite which is completely unhelpful. A division on the board of Rangers Football Club seems apparent and that is then reflected throughout the fan-base. Is that a reflection on the leadership of the new chairman or the AWOL status of our continued owner? Someone must take responsibility. Of course, the fan-base itself isn't exempt from criticism. Petty online community rivalries persist; supporters groups lack transparency and innovation; while we lack the kind of leadership to put forward our concerns in a credible fashion able to change the way the club deal with us. At what point do we realise we need to organise ourselves more effectively and work together (past differences or not) to find common ground? After all, a cursory look across the fan community shows opinions are not as split as some would have you think and surely we all want the best for the club? Thus, in the frustration of no change in ownership represents a new opportunity for all the key players. First and foremost we need an owner who can take us away from the 7-10 day long term planning his appointed chairman talked about at the club AGM late last year. If Sir David Murray is genuine in his intentions for the club and if the club really isn't for sale any longer, he must lead from the front. Not via distanced spin and rhetoric which the support have grown wise to but via stepping in and showing us the kind of ambition we seen in the 1990s. Money may well be tight but that doesn't mean changes can't be made for the better. What shouldn't be forgotten amongst the inevitable negativity above is that we've won the league titles for two seasons on the trot. To do that under the challenges we've faced is something to be positive about so we do have the chance to build upon this success from a position of relative strength. Do we treat this juncture as an obstacle or as a catalyst for change? To conclude, we may not be re-building under new ownership but the old guard can show us they're just as capable despite the mistakes of recent times. To that end, I'll try and finish in a progressive fashion with another lyric from the song in the article title. Is Sir David Murray and Rangers Football Club up to the challenge?

With the season well and truly wrapped up, is now not the time for us to examine the role of Alistair Johnston, Martin Bain and Donald Muir (the enemy within) on the Rangers board? Clearly, there have been many who have been adament that he could not be trusted and as every single transfer window has approached, warnings of Muir-backed firesales have been stated as virtual fact only to fail to come into fruition time and time again, seemingly due to the heroics of Bain and AJ Looking back retrospectively, and baring in mind I held up a banner in protest at Muir 5 rows behind him, I think it would be a worthwhile idea discussing Muir in particular, but obviously appraising the board as a whole is something we should be doing too. More importantly, discussing what their objectives were, how succesful they were and also, how they've managed to marry his fiscal responsibilities as a business fixer with continued success on the park. The positives: Back to back SPL titles all be it he was only on board for the most recent one, wagebill cut to 10-15 year low, virtually no 'wastes of a wage' left in the squad. The negatives: The squad is wafer thin, the amenities within the stadium have been shambolic (big screens, catering, condiments etc, paintwork of the kiosks) potential loss of several out of contract players due to the length of time taken to amend bank business plan, takeover yet to be complete. Interested in input from all-comers here. Is it possible to praise Bain and AJ yet slam Muir at the same time? Obvious King and McGill are in there as well so all is up for discussion.